A/N: Hello everyone. I hope you all are enjoying the holiday. As a Christmas present, here is another chapter. I don't know if I'll have another one up tomorrow, but definitely next week I will. I hope you all enjoy the chapter

Enjoy

Chapter 11: A Father's Visit

There was no light to guide him through the dense woods. It had been over two hours of searching and at one point, he thought of giving up. However, he was determined to find his daughter. He knew if he came with his army, his plan wouldn't work. But he was taking a big risk as well, traveling alone in Phantom territory. Taking a deep breathe, he continued on. He knew he was getting more and more lost as he continued forward.

"I must be getting close." He paused. "Or lost." His eyes looked around, but all was dark. Suddenly, he heard movement. Trying to see who or what made that noise, but he couldn't see anything. "Who is there?" He asked, almost demanding. No response, but more movement. His hand rested on the handle of his sword, preparing himself.

"Who goes there?" A dark voice moved through the darkness. He didn't recognize the voice, but he didn't know many of the Phantoms' voices.

"Where is my daughter?" He asked the voice.

"Safe." It answered.

"I want to see her." No response. "I demand to see my daughter." He demanded. The voice was quiet, thinking. More movement was heard all around him. Looking around, he could see shadows moving around. Hearing something in front, he turned to see a dark figure standing in front of him. "Who are you?" He kept his hood up, hiding his face. "I demand to know who you are." The figure smirked.

"Do you wish to see your daughter?" He asked.

"Yes, I do." He wanted to make sure she was safe and alive. He also wanted answered; why did she go with them? "Please." The figure tilted its head, no longer seeing the strong English king. He was a worried father who watched his daughter leave with a man who was England's worst enemy.

"Come with us." He said, turning his head to nod at one of the shadows. Without warning, a cloth bag suddenly placed over his head. "A bhith socair, balaich (be gentle, boys)" He said to the figures as Striker and Viper took Gustave's arm, making him walk and follow them. Unable to really see, he could only trust them to take him to his daughter.

Sitting next to the bed, Christine tried not to let a tear run down her face. Erik had awoken to only fall back asleep. Though he was happy to have seen her when he woke. Exhausted from the surgery, he had fallen right back asleep. Christine hadn't mind at all. The fact that he woke and alright was fine with her. Leaning back in the chair, she let out a tired sigh. Her ears picked up movement outside the tent. Turning her head over towards the flaps, she saw Tor walk inside.

"How is he?" He asked, exhaling.

"He woke, which is a good sign." She answered.

"Good." He sighed and CHristine knew something was up. "I do not know how to really explain this to you." Now he had her full attention.

"What is it?" She asked, a little concerned.

"Your father is here." Her eyes widen. My father is here? How did he get here?

"My father?" She repeated, making him nod.

"Yes, he wants to see you." She was silent. Was she ready to explain everything to her father? She couldn't believe he was here. "He's in your tent." He said. "He cannot stay long, Christine. He came here without any men with him and they soon will find that he's not there." She nodded, understanding that Tor didn't want the English army searching for him. "I would talk to him, Christine. He needs to know." He said as he opened the tent flaps and walked out. Sitting still in her seat, she turned her head to look down at the sleeping warrior on the bed. She knew she had to talk to her father. Standing up, she leaned down to kiss his lips softly. She left the tent, slowly making her way towards her and Erik's tent. As she walked to the tent, she prepared herself.

Opening the flaps, she entered the tent. Gustave was pacing the tent but stopped when she entered. He had a dark cloak over his attire to help him sneak away from his men. He looked like he hadn't slept in days, the dark circles under his eyes hinted towards her.

"Christine." He said, exhaling deeply as if relief to see she was well.

"Father." She tried to remain calm. However, the tears started running down her face. Rushing over to him, she hugged him tightly.

"Oh Christine." He tried to comfort her. Letting the tears fall, she let him hold her. With Erik still in danger, she needed her father with her. She needed his guidance and...she needed to tell him everything. Once the tears settled, she pulled away and stepped back.

"I feel like I owe you an explanation for everything." He sighed and nodded.

"I believe you do. I have been trying to figure out why you did what you did. But I couldn't understand so please explain." He said to her. Sighing, she motioned him to walk over to sit on the bed. Sitting down, he was ready to hear her.

"I need to start from the beginning." She took a deep breathe. "It started when I visited you at the prison while Erik was still a prisoner. I-I-I...I was the reason why Erik escaped." His eyes widen.

"What?"

"I helped him escape." She began to explain. I was the reason why that prisoner had something to hide, I was the reason why Erik escaped. I sneaked food down to them at night when the guards were on their dinner break." She explained more about that week while her father listen. She tried to ignore the stunned and also disappointed look on his face. "I snuck down that night to the Pit and helped him escape. He promised me that he wouldn't hurt anyone and..." She was unsure to tell him about the kiss.

"And what?" He asked. "He didn't hurt you, did you?" He asked, worried.

"No, he didn't. He would never hurt me." She paused. "I never saw him again until that attack on the village." She began to explain everything that happened. He was silent, listening to everything she was telling him. He cringed when she told him about the kiss right after William managed to escape. She told him about her time at the camp, the friends she had made, the way the warriors accepted her. She paused before she started to explain about her relationship with Erik. "I fell in love with him, father." She looked at him, a tear forming in her eye. "I know I shouldn't have, but I couldn't help it. He tried to stay away from me, but..."

"He fell in love with you?" She nodded, her hand rested over her growing belly. Her father's eyes watched her movement, a shocked looking appearing on his face as he realized it. "Are you...?" She nodded.

"Yes father. I'm with child...Erik's child." Her father was too stunned to say anything. His daughter was pregnant. "I wanted to tell you, but I knew that I couldn't. I couldn't tell anyone about the child because of the wedding." He understood that; the child's true father would have been kept a secret.

"Did he know?" She shook her head.

"No, he didn't. Only the doctor, myself and a maid knew." He was quiet for a little bit, letting all the information she just told him sink in. "I love him, father. And he loves me. I would not have did what I did if he didn't feel the same way with me. He makes me happy. I know this isn't what you wanted for me." He shook his head.

"I want you to be happy, Christine. That is really what I want and I knew that if you would have stayed, you wouldn't have been happy with him. If Erik makes you happy...then I will not force you to leave." Her face lighted up as a smile came to her face. Wrapping her arms around her father, she hugged him tight.

"Thank you father."

"You are welcome." He kissed her cheek.

"I am sorry about your agreement with France." He shrugged.

"Do not worry about my relationship with the French. I am more worried about my relationship with Scotland at the moment." He sighed as he thought of something. "Christine, may I ask you something?" She nodded, wondering what he wanted to ask. "Is it possible to arrange a meeting with...the Phantoms?" He asked her. "I would like to talk to them about something."

"I think I can arrange it. Chief would have to approve it, but I'm sure I can do it." She said as she rose from her seat. Leaving the tent, she went in searching for Tor, needing to find him. She was glad that her father knew everything and though she knew he didn't want to, he accepted Erik. At least she hoped he did. But what did he want to talk to the Phantoms about?

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays : )